KPLU-FM: Public Healthhttp://www.npr.org
Assorted stories from KPLU-FMenCopyright 2014 NPR - For Personal Use OnlyNPR API RSS Generator 0.94Mon, 15 Sep 2014 20:55:34 -0400http://media.npr.org/images/stations/logos/kplu_fm.gifKPLU-FM: Public Healthhttp://www.npr.org
King County Clinic Gets Reprieve, But Cloud Still Hangs Over Public Health Budget A King County public health clinic slated for closure is getting a bailout, but three more clinics remain on the line as the health department...Mon, 15 Sep 2014 20:55:34 -0400http://kplu.org/post/king-county-clinic-gets-reprieve-cloud-still-hangs-over-public-health-budget
http://kplu.org/post/king-county-clinic-gets-reprieve-cloud-still-hangs-over-public-health-budget A King County public health clinic slated for closure is getting a bailout, but three more clinics remain on the line as the health department...96no A King County public health clinic slated for closure is getting a bailout, but three more clinics remain on the line as the health department...

]]>Study Finds MRSA 'Superbug' Lurking At Washington Firehouses Fighting fires is a dangerous job, and new research on firehouses around Washington state has revealed another hazard — one that lurks on firefighters’...Mon, 21 Jul 2014 08:01:00 -0400http://kplu.org/post/study-finds-mrsa-superbug-lurking-washington-firehouses
http://kplu.org/post/study-finds-mrsa-superbug-lurking-washington-firehouses Fighting fires is a dangerous job, and new research on firehouses around Washington state has revealed another hazard — one that lurks on firefighters’...104no Fighting fires is a dangerous job, and new research on firehouses around Washington state has revealed another hazard — one that lurks on firefighters’...

]]>Public Health Crusader And College Student Talk Sex, AIDS And What Makes Them Mad Editor's Note: “Senior Thesis” is a special week-long series that brings together venerable veterans in various fields with university students hoping...Thu, 19 Jun 2014 08:00:00 -0400http://kplu.org/post/public-health-crusader-and-college-student-talk-sex-aids-and-what-makes-them-mad
http://kplu.org/post/public-health-crusader-and-college-student-talk-sex-aids-and-what-makes-them-mad Editor's Note: “Senior Thesis” is a special week-long series that brings together venerable veterans in various fields with university students hoping...338no Editor's Note: “Senior Thesis” is a special week-long series that brings together venerable veterans in various fields with university students hoping...

]]>Treating the Cow to Save the Kid: Where Human and Animal Health IntersectPeople fighting hunger in the developing world have noticed a troubling mystery: malnourished children sometimes fail to get healthier even when given a...Wed, 11 Dec 2013 08:01:00 -0500http://kplu.org/post/treating-cow-save-kid-where-human-and-animal-health-intersect
http://kplu.org/post/treating-cow-save-kid-where-human-and-animal-health-intersectPeople fighting hunger in the developing world have noticed a troubling mystery: malnourished children sometimes fail to get healthier even when given a...279noPeople fighting hunger in the developing world have noticed a troubling mystery: malnourished children sometimes fail to get healthier even when given a...

]]>Volunteers Plaster King County with Obamacare Sales Pitch On the same day House Republicans voted to defund the Affordable Care Act, King County is making a big push to implement it. Volunteers went door-to-doorFri, 20 Sep 2013 19:38:22 -0400http://kplu.org/post/volunteers-plaster-king-county-obamacare-sales-pitch
http://kplu.org/post/volunteers-plaster-king-county-obamacare-sales-pitch On the same day House Republicans voted to defund the Affordable Care Act, King County is making a big push to implement it. Volunteers went door-to-door70no On the same day House Republicans voted to defund the Affordable Care Act, King County is making a big push to implement it. Volunteers went door-to-door

]]>Alarming Jump in Youth Suicide Prompts Call to ActionKing County saw an unexpected spike in youth suicides last year, prompting a group of experts to push for much wider awareness of how to prevent suicide.Thu, 01 Aug 2013 18:47:02 -0400http://www.kplu.org/post/alarming-jump-youth-suicide-prompts-call-action
http://www.kplu.org/post/alarming-jump-youth-suicide-prompts-call-actionKing County saw an unexpected spike in youth suicides last year, prompting a group of experts to push for much wider awareness of how to prevent suicide.65noKing County saw an unexpected spike in youth suicides last year, prompting a group of experts to push for much wider awareness of how to prevent suicide.

]]>Washington's Tobacco Quitline Cuts Off the UninsuredIf you’re trying to quit smoking and you don’t have health insurance, it’s going to be harder to find help as of August 1. The state’s free tobaccoWed, 31 Jul 2013 08:01:00 -0400http://www.kplu.org/post/washingtons-tobacco-quitline-cuts-uninsured
http://www.kplu.org/post/washingtons-tobacco-quitline-cuts-uninsuredIf you’re trying to quit smoking and you don’t have health insurance, it’s going to be harder to find help as of August 1. The state’s free tobacco65noIf you’re trying to quit smoking and you don’t have health insurance, it’s going to be harder to find help as of August 1. The state’s free tobacco

]]>Human fecal bacteria confirmed in Seattle’s Thornton Creek Scientists with the city of Seattle are narrowing in on the source of polluted water that flows through the city’s largest watershed. With a new study,Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:00:00 -0400http://www.kplu.org/post/human-fecal-bacteria-confirmed-seattle-s-thornton-creek
http://www.kplu.org/post/human-fecal-bacteria-confirmed-seattle-s-thornton-creekScientists with the city of Seattle are narrowing in on the source of polluted water that flows through the city’s largest watershed. With a new study,86noScientists with the city of Seattle are narrowing in on the source of polluted water that flows through the city’s largest watershed. With a new study,

]]>Changing of guardian for health as smoking reaches crossroadsFor the first time since 1998, Washington is getting a new secretary of health. Mary Selecky is retiring, and her replacement starts today. Selecky hasMon, 15 Apr 2013 03:04:00 -0400http://www.kplu.org/post/changing-guardian-health-smoking-reaches-crossroads
http://www.kplu.org/post/changing-guardian-health-smoking-reaches-crossroadsFor the first time since 1998, Washington is getting a new secretary of health. Mary Selecky is retiring, and her replacement starts today. Selecky has118noFor the first time since 1998, Washington is getting a new secretary of health. Mary Selecky is retiring, and her replacement starts today. Selecky has

]]>ACLU, public health groups cautioning marijuana rulemakersHow do you build a whole new industry – and undermine a black market -- without increasing its customer base? That’s the challenge state regulators areTue, 12 Mar 2013 20:33:49 -0400http://www.kplu.org/post/aclu-public-health-groups-cautioning-marijuana-rulemakers
http://www.kplu.org/post/aclu-public-health-groups-cautioning-marijuana-rulemakersHow do you build a whole new industry – and undermine a black market -- without increasing its customer base? That’s the challenge state regulators are84noHow do you build a whole new industry – and undermine a black market -- without increasing its customer base? That’s the challenge state regulators are

]]>Washington bucks national trend with fewer teen driver deaths A new report finds more teen drivers are dying around the country, but not in Washington. So while nationwide there’s been a 19 percent increase in 16-Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:31:54 -0500http://www.kplu.org/post/washington-bucks-national-trend-fewer-teen-driver-deaths
http://www.kplu.org/post/washington-bucks-national-trend-fewer-teen-driver-deaths A new report finds more teen drivers are dying around the country, but not in Washington. So while nationwide there’s been a 19 percent increase in 16-63no A new report finds more teen drivers are dying around the country, but not in Washington. So while nationwide there’s been a 19 percent increase in 16-

]]>Public health at forefront of King County's gun initiative The debate over gun control may be focused on the nation’s capital, but one local official says King County will soon take measures of its own. About 125Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:52:54 -0500http://www.kplu.org/post/public-health-forefront-king-countys-gun-initiative
http://www.kplu.org/post/public-health-forefront-king-countys-gun-initiative The debate over gun control may be focused on the nation’s capital, but one local official says King County will soon take measures of its own. About 12568no The debate over gun control may be focused on the nation’s capital, but one local official says King County will soon take measures of its own. About 125

]]>How to prove the tree-huggers hunch? Study a deadly beetle If you live in the Evergreen State, chances are, you like trees. Cities around the Pacific Northwest do a lot to protect them. But, do they really make usMon, 21 Jan 2013 08:04:00 -0500http://www.kplu.org/post/how-prove-tree-huggers-hunch-study-deadly-beetle
http://www.kplu.org/post/how-prove-tree-huggers-hunch-study-deadly-beetle If you live in the Evergreen State, chances are, you like trees. Cities around the Pacific Northwest do a lot to protect them. But, do they really make us112no If you live in the Evergreen State, chances are, you like trees. Cities around the Pacific Northwest do a lot to protect them. But, do they really make us

]]>Not as many Wash. children opting out of vaccines<p>Fewer Washington parents are opting their children out of vaccinations, giving the state one of the biggest <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6133a2.htm?s_cid=mm6133a2_w">drops in vaccine exemptions </a>in the country. Two years ago Washington had the highest rate of vaccine exemptions in the nation, with 6.2 percent of kindergartners taking a medical, religious or philosophical pass on getting one or more immunizations.</p><p>Last year, that number dropped to 4.7 percent according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ranking the state eighth in the country instead of first. Only Nebraska had a steeper drop in exemptions.</p><p>Michele Roberts of the state Department of Health said her agency calculated <a href="http://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/2012NewsReleases/12061VaccineExemptionDecrease.aspx">an even lower rate </a>of exemptions, at 4.5 percent. She said that shows things are moving in the right direction.</p><blockquote><p>“We are still high. We are still really pleased about the decrease and think we’re on the right track. But an exemption rate of 4.5 percent still puts us as one of the highest in the nation, and we really would like to see that continue to decrease,” Roberts said.</p></blockquote><p>Roberts gives much of the credit to a <a href="http://seattlemamadoc.seattlechildrens.org/pile-on-the-paperwork-vaccine-exemption-in-wa-state/">new state law </a>that went into effect last summer, requiring parents to consult a doctor before claiming an exemption for their child. The law didn’t cover all of last year’s kindergarten class, and Roberts says she expects immunization rates to improve further once new law reaches all incoming kindergartners next year.</p><p>Some parents decline to have their children vaccinated because they object to certain vaccine ingredients or perceived health risks, including a <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/autism/index.html">widely discredited link to autism</a>.</p>Thu, 23 Aug 2012 19:55:07 -0400http://www.kplu.org/post/not-many-wash-children-opting-out-vaccines
http://www.kplu.org/post/not-many-wash-children-opting-out-vaccines<p>Fewer Washington parents are opting their children out of vaccinations, giving the state one of the biggest <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6133a2.htm?s_cid=mm6133a2_w">drops in vaccine exemptions </a>in the country. Two years ago Washington had the highest rate of vaccine exemptions in the nation, with 6.2 percent of kindergartners taking a medical, religious or philosophical pass on getting one or more immunizations.</p><p>Last year, that number dropped to 4.7 percent according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ranking the state eighth in the country instead of first. Only Nebraska had a steeper drop in exemptions.</p><p>Michele Roberts of the state Department of Health said her agency calculated <a href="http://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/2012NewsReleases/12061VaccineExemptionDecrease.aspx">an even lower rate </a>of exemptions, at 4.5 percent. She said that shows things are moving in the right direction.</p><blockquote><p>“We are still high. We are still really pleased about the decrease and think we’re on the right track. But an exemption rate of 4.5 percent still puts us as one of the highest in the nation, and we really would like to see that continue to decrease,” Roberts said.</p></blockquote><p>Roberts gives much of the credit to a <a href="http://seattlemamadoc.seattlechildrens.org/pile-on-the-paperwork-vaccine-exemption-in-wa-state/">new state law </a>that went into effect last summer, requiring parents to consult a doctor before claiming an exemption for their child. The law didn’t cover all of last year’s kindergarten class, and Roberts says she expects immunization rates to improve further once new law reaches all incoming kindergartners next year.</p><p>Some parents decline to have their children vaccinated because they object to certain vaccine ingredients or perceived health risks, including a <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/autism/index.html">widely discredited link to autism</a>.</p>62no

Fewer Washington parents are opting their children out of vaccinations, giving the state one of the biggest drops in vaccine exemptions in the country. Two years ago Washington had the highest rate of vaccine exemptions in the nation, with 6.2 percent of kindergartners taking a medical, religious or philosophical pass on getting one or more immunizations.

Last year, that number dropped to 4.7 percent according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ranking the state eighth in the country instead of first. Only Nebraska had a steeper drop in exemptions.

Michele Roberts of the state Department of Health said her agency calculated an even lower rate of exemptions, at 4.5 percent. She said that shows things are moving in the right direction.

“We are still high. We are still really pleased about the decrease and think we’re on the right track. But an exemption rate of 4.5 percent still puts us as one of the highest in the nation, and we really would like to see that continue to decrease,” Roberts said.

Roberts gives much of the credit to a new state law that went into effect last summer, requiring parents to consult a doctor before claiming an exemption for their child. The law didn’t cover all of last year’s kindergarten class, and Roberts says she expects immunization rates to improve further once new law reaches all incoming kindergartners next year.

Some parents decline to have their children vaccinated because they object to certain vaccine ingredients or perceived health risks, including a widely discredited link to autism.

]]>Tacoma man not alone with grill brush horror story<p>Federal regulators are looking into a health hazard that sent a Tacoma man to the hospital over the weekend.</p><p>Adam Wojtanowicz ate a grilled steak, and ended up in surgery. It had nothing to do with the meat, or even cooking with fire &ndash; no, Wojtanowicz actually ingested a metal bristle from the wire brush used to clean the grill. That little whisker of steel <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6126a4.htm?s_cid=mm6126a4_w">can wreak havoc </a>on the digestive system, puncturing intestines or other organs.&nbsp;</p><p>It turns out to be a rare but not unique injury.<!--break--> The Consumer Products Safety Commission has identified <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/99752849">17 cases </a>like Wojtanowicz&rsquo;s since 2007, a pretty tiny number compared with the estimated thousands of <a href="http://stats.org/stories/2007/risks_of_grilling_july4_07.htm">other grill-related injuries </a>each year.</p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyaSTtaLvUc</p><p>But it&rsquo;s enough to make even an experienced grillmaster squeamish, such as Derrick Williams, vice president of the <a href="http://www.pnwba.com/">Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association</a>.</p><blockquote><p>&ldquo;You know if your brush is old with a lot of gunk on it and grease, you should be careful. You should try to change your brush at least twice a year,&rdquo; said Williams.</p></blockquote><p>He also suggests a scrub pad or high pressure hose to clean off gunk.</p><p>You could also try an alternative products, such as <a href="http://thegrillion.com/">The Grillion<em> </em></a><em>(yes, it is for real)</em>:</p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLNCiBatNck</p><p>Public health authorities haven&rsquo;t identified any particular brand of brush that&rsquo;s especially dangerous. The Consumer Products Safety Commission is looking into the phenomenon, after Senator Charles Schumer requested an inquiry in May. A spokesman for the agency said this issue hadn&rsquo;t even been on their radar before Schumer brought it up.</p><p></p>Wed, 11 Jul 2012 08:00:00 -0400http://www.kplu.org/post/tacoma-man-not-alone-grill-brush-horror-story
http://www.kplu.org/post/tacoma-man-not-alone-grill-brush-horror-story<p>Federal regulators are looking into a health hazard that sent a Tacoma man to the hospital over the weekend.</p><p>Adam Wojtanowicz ate a grilled steak, and ended up in surgery. It had nothing to do with the meat, or even cooking with fire &ndash; no, Wojtanowicz actually ingested a metal bristle from the wire brush used to clean the grill. That little whisker of steel <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6126a4.htm?s_cid=mm6126a4_w">can wreak havoc </a>on the digestive system, puncturing intestines or other organs.&nbsp;</p><p>It turns out to be a rare but not unique injury.<!--break--> The Consumer Products Safety Commission has identified <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/99752849">17 cases </a>like Wojtanowicz&rsquo;s since 2007, a pretty tiny number compared with the estimated thousands of <a href="http://stats.org/stories/2007/risks_of_grilling_july4_07.htm">other grill-related injuries </a>each year.</p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyaSTtaLvUc</p><p>But it&rsquo;s enough to make even an experienced grillmaster squeamish, such as Derrick Williams, vice president of the <a href="http://www.pnwba.com/">Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association</a>.</p><blockquote><p>&ldquo;You know if your brush is old with a lot of gunk on it and grease, you should be careful. You should try to change your brush at least twice a year,&rdquo; said Williams.</p></blockquote><p>He also suggests a scrub pad or high pressure hose to clean off gunk.</p><p>You could also try an alternative products, such as <a href="http://thegrillion.com/">The Grillion<em> </em></a><em>(yes, it is for real)</em>:</p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLNCiBatNck</p><p>Public health authorities haven&rsquo;t identified any particular brand of brush that&rsquo;s especially dangerous. The Consumer Products Safety Commission is looking into the phenomenon, after Senator Charles Schumer requested an inquiry in May. A spokesman for the agency said this issue hadn&rsquo;t even been on their radar before Schumer brought it up.</p><p></p>66no

Federal regulators are looking into a health hazard that sent a Tacoma man to the hospital over the weekend.

Adam Wojtanowicz ate a grilled steak, and ended up in surgery. It had nothing to do with the meat, or even cooking with fire – no, Wojtanowicz actually ingested a metal bristle from the wire brush used to clean the grill. That little whisker of steel can wreak havoc on the digestive system, puncturing intestines or other organs.

It turns out to be a rare but not unique injury. The Consumer Products Safety Commission has identified 17 cases like Wojtanowicz’s since 2007, a pretty tiny number compared with the estimated thousands of other grill-related injuries each year.

“You know if your brush is old with a lot of gunk on it and grease, you should be careful. You should try to change your brush at least twice a year,” said Williams.

He also suggests a scrub pad or high pressure hose to clean off gunk.

You could also try an alternative products, such as The Grillion(yes, it is for real):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLNCiBatNck

Public health authorities haven’t identified any particular brand of brush that’s especially dangerous. The Consumer Products Safety Commission is looking into the phenomenon, after Senator Charles Schumer requested an inquiry in May. A spokesman for the agency said this issue hadn’t even been on their radar before Schumer brought it up.